News

Comic uncovers his Sussex roots

A comedian has traced his performing roots back to a great-great-grandfather in Chichester who gave up life in the Army to sing in churches.

The Sussex roots of TV funnyman John Bishop are set to be revealed tonight on BBC show Who Do You Think You Are.

The Scouse comedian was helped by West Sussex County Council archivists to trace his family tree back 150 years to uncover the colourful life of Charles Bishop.

The programme, which features scenes filmed in the county’s record office in Chichester, traces Charles Bishop’s early life.

He enlisted in the British Army as a boy soldier aged 14 in 1838 and rose to become sergeant of his regimental band in just 15 years.

Despite his military success and being just six years away from receiving a pension, Charles chose to leave the Army to pursue his passion for music as a lay vicar, or Cathedral singer, in Chichester Cathedral.

He spent more than ten years living in Chichester as a member of the Cathedral community and also a performer in concerts and events at the Assembly Rooms, which laid the foundations for a musical career that spanned decades and took him across the world.

Historic records

Producers have said that research in Chichester produced a major revelation for the 21st century comedian but readers will have to tune in to find out what was uncovered.

Nichola Court, searchroom archivist at West Sussex’s record office, was involved in helping the 46-year-old comedian to find out more about his Sussex family.

She said: “It was an interesting story and John was really keen to find out about his family background. He asked lots of questions about the relative who brought him to Chichester.

"We were only able to do a very narrow bit of research on this particular ancestor but it’s a quirky story.”

Lionel Barnard, West Sussex County Council deputy leader responsible for the record office, said: “We were delighted to be able to help John Bishop to discover more about his ancestry.

"It sounds like some fascinating discoveries were made and I’m looking forward to seeing how the tale unfolds.”

Comments (3)

I have just sent my formal complaint to the Press Complaints Commission reference the Argus' use of 'comic', 'funnyman' and 'comedian'. in this article.

John Bishop is about as funny as being run over by a truck. If I wanted to hear a smug scouser who thinks they are hilariously funny and who rambles on for hours with pointless anecdotes rarely containing any wit or humour whatsoever, I would move to Liverpool where I understand they are in plentiful supply.

What really grates with me though is how a very easily amused BBC manager obviously spotted this berk and thought it wise to give him his own shows, numerous advertising slots and 'celebrity' appearances on every show going. I'm surprised the grinning simpleton hasn't popped up on Breakfast News to tell me the weather yet.

Considering I am forced to pay £12.00 ish monthly to subsidise the huge corporation of the BBC, I would have thought that at least they could spend at least some of it on finding a comedian who actually remembers to include a punchline at the end of a fifteen minute story.

I have just sent my formal complaint to the Press Complaints Commission reference the Argus' use of 'comic', 'funnyman' and 'comedian'. in this article.
John Bishop is about as funny as being run over by a truck. If I wanted to hear a smug scouser who thinks they are hilariously funny and who rambles on for hours with pointless anecdotes rarely containing any wit or humour whatsoever, I would move to Liverpool where I understand they are in plentiful supply.
What really grates with me though is how a very easily amused BBC manager obviously spotted this berk and thought it wise to give him his own shows, numerous advertising slots and 'celebrity' appearances on every show going. I'm surprised the grinning simpleton hasn't popped up on Breakfast News to tell me the weather yet.
Considering I am forced to pay £12.00 ish monthly to subsidise the huge corporation of the BBC, I would have thought that at least they could spend at least some of it on finding a comedian who actually remembers to include a punchline at the end of a fifteen minute story.Cliff Huxtable

if its havago at the bbc then lets get rid of tich & quackers presenters & news readers each reading one line alternately, boring. gets rid of a cameraman as well.
reporters standing outside no 10 and other pointless places just to narrate a news item in the middle of the night or when ever, send a photographer or use a stock film/photo, get rid of all weather forecasters, let the presenter read it. and most of all stop using kilometers and hectares, imperial first its still the law of the land. oh and for good measure remove the license fee, make the leaching over paid, moralless, clueless management and lord patten obsolete & unemployed without a license payers funded bonus. Oh and BBC sussex, stick to sussex Im not intrested in the slightest at traffic problems at the hogs back or newbury bypass or oxford for that matter, accurate local reporting would be helpfull.

if its havago at the bbc then lets get rid of tich & quackers presenters & news readers each reading one line alternately, boring. gets rid of a cameraman as well.
reporters standing outside no 10 and other pointless places just to narrate a news item in the middle of the night or when ever, send a photographer or use a stock film/photo, get rid of all weather forecasters, let the presenter read it. and most of all stop using kilometers and hectares, imperial first its still the law of the land. oh and for good measure remove the license fee, make the leaching over paid, moralless, clueless management and lord patten obsolete & unemployed without a license payers funded bonus. Oh and BBC sussex, stick to sussex Im not intrested in the slightest at traffic problems at the hogs back or newbury bypass or oxford for that matter, accurate local reporting would be helpfull.John Steed